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Warfarin and potassium levels

Posted , 5 users are following.

ann55375
ann55375

Since p.e. Warfarin for life. Suffering muscle cramps which can be caused by low potassium and low magnesium.

it appears that neither of these supplements can be taken whilst on warfarin, is there Ny other way to deal with it or should i just take them and be damned?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • annatyne
    annatyne ann55375

    Posted

    Talk to your GP. Yes, supplements will affect your INR, but if you take the same amount, every day, at the same time, your INR can be monitored until it settles down. I did this with another drug I HAD to take, which had a big effect on INR, and also with a supplement I chose to continue taking after I started on Warfarin for life. Hope this helps. 
  • cora06849
    cora06849 ann55375

    Posted

    I'm a warfarin lifer too.  Whilst care with the diet is important to maintain a stable INR, perhaps eating foods rich in potassium and magnesium might be one solution.  These include asparagus, bananas, leafy greens such as spinach, Swiss chard and kale, cantaloupe, white and sweetpotatoes with skin on, citrus fruits, tomatoes, kiwi, papaya and squash are all sources of both potassium and magnesium as well as plenty of other vitamins, minerals and fiber.  

    Of course a sudden introduction of large amounts of leafy greens will disturb INR results too, but moderate portions taken regularly might help.

    • charlene85909
      charlene85909 cora06849

      Posted

      Hey

      Got a question.  I am a Pradaxa for life. And with this blood thinner there is no K12 shot to reverse the medicine.  Its freaking me out. How is it being on Warfrin? I thought you had to stay away from leafy vegetables.  What is your routine?  What kind of job do you have? Coming back from LOA

      I could not do stocking anymore. So now they only have a spot that is as bad as my old spot. It is a high risk chance of getting cut. I am stuck. Just trying to decide I have a better chance being on Warfrin.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 charlene85909

      Posted

      I tried apixaban and riveroxaban but got another p.e. So now on warfarin for life.  Anticoagulant consult said safer as there is an antidote, others are too new to know consequences and its been around a long time used successfully.  Yes, there are a few foods to be cautious about, other than that they say its fine.  Its a personal decision.
    • cora06849
      cora06849 charlene85909

      Posted

      I find it ok on warfarin, Charlene.  I'm retired, though I do occasional engagements as a musician.  You don't have to stay away from leafy vegetables, just be sure you eat more or less the same amount on a regular basis.  I was told not to cut them out as they are part of a healthy diet but just keep to the same quantity, don't change anything.  

      There is a cookbook available called The Coumadine Cookbook (Coumadine is the US name for warfarin). I learned more about it from this book than I did from the healthcare professionals who are treating me.  At first I had to have finger prick blood tests weekly till the INR stabilised,. As long as it stays between 2 - 3 the tests are less frequent, sometimes up to 3 months. A minor inconvenience, and luckily I'm only a 10 minute walk from the hospital.  But most people are tested at their local surgery.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 cora06849

      Posted

      I sometimes find im stuck to carrots and turnips so a cookbook would be helpful. I will look into it.  Its a pity i love grapefruit, beetroot, asparagus, marmite, cranberries etc and they are all not approved.

      the bloodtests are not a problem, two mins and not far from home.

      i would say you are right that the professionals were very keen to do bloods but dont give out any educational training for eating the right foods.

    • cora06849
      cora06849 ann55375

      Posted

      I avoid grapefruit and cranberries, but eat pretty much anything else, certainly beetroot and asparagus.  I watch it if it's dark stuff like spinach, but I still have cabbage or brussel sprouts. Moderation is the key.  

      I got a second hand copy on Amazon, but I believe it's available on kindle, though I find books with lots of tables are difficult to see on an eReader.  A lot of the recipes are very American in style and ingredients, but I generally adapt them where necessary, and they generally give you good ideas.

  • bowman
    bowman ann55375

    Posted

    A lot of people suffer from painful joints and other problems when on warfarin. Ask your GP to try you on a different anticoagulant.

    GPs will very often say its not the warfarin...but too many have problems that disappear immediately the warfarin is stopped.

     

    • ann55375
      ann55375 bowman

      Posted

      I am not having painful joints at all.  I am suffering from anxiety which is harder to treat on warfarin.  Dr says warfarin cannot exacerbate this, but i wonder.  Tried different anticoagulant but felt worse. so back on warfarin. Just cannot shake anxiety levels.
    • charlene85909
      charlene85909 bowman

      Posted

      Right now I am suffering from a cyst on left hip and some arthritis. 

      It's getting worst not sure if the Pradaxa is causing got Appt with orthopedic next week. When you say check your Warfrin level how often and is it blood test? If Warfrin is causing joint pain I am going to have to really think about it.

    • bowman
      bowman ann55375

      Posted

      My husband became aggressive and very depressed. Plus bleeding eyes and many other problems.

      We eventually bought a coaguchek machine to try and keep his levels ok...but even then it was not good. He is now on apixaban, but did try riveroxiban which was worse than the warfarin.

      There is also clopidogral which is very expensive!

      Good luck

    • ann55375
      ann55375 bowman

      Posted

      Has he been better on apixaban? Did the depression lift or did you need to get anti depresssants.  Thats what they've done to me and i think its making things worse as they dont mix well with the warfarin

    • bowman
      bowman ann55375

      Posted

      The side effects stopped as soon as he stopped the warfarin.

      Our GP swore black was white that it wasn't the warfarin...but he hasn't had any of the nasty side effects since.

      The only thing he gets with apixaban is itchy skin on his head...but he uses teatree shampoo and is fine.

  • ann55375
    ann55375

    Posted

    What i mean is should i just take all the supplements and to hell with warfarin, what is the worst that can happen.
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